Your body needs enough water to support essential functions, including regulating temperature, transporting nutrients, removing waste and maintaining normal blood volume. When you lose more fluids than you replace, dehydration can occur.
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Dehydration can happen after exercise, during hot weather, when you are unwell or simply when you do not drink enough fluids throughout the day. Recognising the early warning signs can help you respond before dehydration becomes more serious.
You feel unusually thirsty
One of the most obvious signs of dehydration is increased thirst. Your body may trigger thirst as it attempts to encourage you to replace lost fluids.
However, thirst is not always the earliest warning sign, so it is useful to pay attention to other changes as well.
Your urine becomes darker
Urine colour can provide a useful indication of your hydration status. Dark yellow or amber urine may occur when your urine becomes more concentrated because you are not getting enough fluids.
Pale yellow urine is generally associated with adequate hydration, although urine colour can also be affected by certain foods, supplements and medications.
Urinating less
Dehydration can reduce the amount of urine your body produces. You may notice that you are going to the bathroom less frequently than usual.
If you are also experiencing significant thirst or other symptoms of dehydration, increasing your fluid intake may be appropriate.
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Feeling tired or weak
Feeling unusually tired, weak or lacking energy can be associated with dehydration.
When your body does not have enough fluid, normal physical processes can be affected, which may leave you feeling less energetic than usual.
Developing headaches or feeling dizzy
Headaches and dizziness can occur with dehydration. You may particularly notice light-headedness when standing up or moving suddenly.
These symptoms can have many possible causes, however, so they should not automatically be attributed to dehydration.
Sudden mouth dryness
A dry or sticky mouth, dry lips and a noticeable reduction in saliva can be signs that your body needs more fluids.
Drinking water regularly can help replace lost fluids, particularly after sweating or physical activity.
Staying hydrated is a simple part of looking after your health. Paying attention to changes can help you recognise when your body may need more fluids.
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Featured image: Pexels/Ekaterina Bolovtsova
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